What makes us
unique?

Chinook Canine Rehab Ltd was created not only as the result of the legitimate and pressing need for specialized services in the field of canine physical therapy and rehabilitation in Lethbridge, but also due to our owner Lauren`s true love of dogs. 

Our expertise in not only human physiotherapy but veterinary medicine makes us not only qualified but the experts to provide a well-rounded treatment program for your dog.

Canine rehab involves assessment of movement and development of treatment plan. Treatment plan aim to help get dogs moving, help them build strength, and help them establish a regular exercise routine that involves more than, just walks. Rehab can target specific injuries/conditions such as cranial cruciate injuries, hip dysplasia, arthritis, shoulder instability or helping with weight loss or improving senior and neurological dogs independence. 

We look forward to meeting you all and helping more furry friends on their rehab journey.

Meet the Rehab Team

Lauren sitting on the slatmill in the gym
Lauren Peterson (Doctor of Physiotherapy/Owner)
Lauren  completed her Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne in 2013. From the beginning of her career, Lauren knew she wanted to work with dogs. After gaining experience in a private physiotherapy clinic, she took a leap of faith and founded Chinook Canine Rehab in 2021, following completion of her Diploma in Canine Rehabilitation. Lauren’s strong expertise in assessment and manual therapy form the foundation of her successful rehabilitation programs. She has further expanded her canine skill set with certifications in small animal acupuncture and dry needling. Lauren also has worked along side team Canada agility to provide treatment to canine athletes and travelled to the Netherlands with Team Canada Agility. 
 
When booking an appointment or assessment with Lauren you can expect an in-depth treatment plan and her expertise knowledge and hands on care.
 

Lauren’s long held dream started as a mobile service and since has since grown into a large, purpose-built clinic featuring two underwater treadmills, a hydrotherapy pool, a slatmill, a fully equipped canine gym and more.

While running the clinic is a full-time commitment Lauren still makes time for outdoor adventures, whether it be skijoring with her huskies, snowboarding, golfing  hiking or relaxing beside a lake.

Ashley Sommerfeld
(Rehab Assistant/Canine and Equine Mayo-Manipulative Functional Therapist)

Ashley is certified in both canine and equine mayo-manipulative therapy. She is adept in hands-on bodywork techniques and therapeutic cold laser applications to support mobility, pain reduction and performance optimization. She is highly compassionate individual and prioritizes low-stress handling and animal trust during every session.

Ashley not only provides our canine massage services in clinic by travels to deliver equine massage and laser treatments through our subsidiary Chinook Equine Services.

When Ashley isn’t at the clinic or in the stables, she enjoys hanging with her rescue dog Nala and camping.

Bryn Dragland (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist)

Bryn’s background is in Exercise Science and she spent eight years working in a human physiotherapy clinic before transitioning into canine rehabilitation. By combining her passion for exercise with her love of dogs, she helps canine patients improve their mobility, strength and overall quality of life through therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy. Seeing dogs get back to doing what they love is the most rewarding part of her work. Outside of the clinic, Bryn enjoys spending time with her husband, sone and their dog – whether they are out adventuring or chasing around their little one at home.

(Currently on Maternity Leave)

Kallee Hausauer (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist)
Kallee is one of our new rehab assistants. With a Bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology, we like to joke that she is officially “two degrees hotter”!  While learning what makes brains and behaviour tick, her love for animals and veterinary medicine lead her to spending nearly a decade working in veterinary practice caring for pets and the wonderful humans who adore them and she continues to work part time at the local vet clinic. 
 
As part of the team at Chinook Canine Rehab, she is thrilled to help dogs get back to doing what they do best- running, playing, exploring, and occasionally pretending they can’t hear their owners. Whrn she isn’t working with dogs you’ll probably find her himing, snowboarding, dirt biking, or exploring the outdoors with my four-legged adventure buddies.
 
Kallee is currently working on her certification in Canine Massage. She feels incredibly lucky to combine her love of animals, veterinary medicine, and rehabilitation every day and looks forward to meeting you and your dog!
Hannah Heidel (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist)
Hannah has just recently graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge. Her education, paired with her life-long experience with dogs and coaching sports teams makes her a perfect for the team. Hanna is excited to use her exercise and rehab knowledge in the canine world. 
 
When Hannah isn’t at the clinic she spends her time coaching ringette or dog sitting:walking. 
Valeria Vettorazzi (Canine Hydrotherapist/Rehab Assistant) 
Val is our casual relief therapist while she studies veterinary technology with the hope to build a career in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. 
 
Being active herself in dog sports she has a passion for helping dogs maintain an active, healthy, and happy lifestyle. 
 
We are so excited to have Val as one of our hydrotherapists providing compassionate care wether its helping dogs recover from injury, managing chronic conditions, weight loss or simply conditioning and exercising. 

Bryn Dragland (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist), Ashley Sommerfeld (Rehab Assistant/Canine and Equine Mayo-Manipulative Functional Therapist), Lauren Peterson (Doctor of Physiotherapy/Owner), Hannah Heidel (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist), Kallee Hausauer (Rehsb Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist), Valeria Vettorazzi (Rehab Assistant/Canine Hydrotherapist)